Al-Rajhi gets King Faisal Prize for serving Islam

Last updated: Wednesday, March 07, 2012 1:26 AM

RIYADH – On behalf of King Abdullah, Defense Minister Prince Salman Bin Abdul Aziz patronized the awards ceremony of the 34th King Faisal International Prize at Prince Sultan Hall in Riyadh Tuesday.
“Dear scientists, thank you for your sacrifices to serve science and humanity. You were entrusted with this earth, build it and don’t destroy it,” Prince Salman said in a short speech.
“In a world of crises and turbulences, Allah bestowed upon us stability, security and prosperity,” he added.
The prize for serving Islam went to Sulaiman Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Rajhi for dedicating half his fortune for charity, starting an Islamic bank, supporting charity work and implementing effective national projects.
The prize for Islamic studies went to Dr. Adnan Muhammad Al-Wazan from Saudi Arabia. His book focuses on human rights in Islam and their most important features in the Kingdom.
For Arabic language and literature studies, Dr. Ali Helmi Ahmad Mousa and Dr. Nabeel Ali Muhammad from Egypt shared the prize.
The prize for medicine went to Dr. Richard Berkowitz and Dr. James Bruce from the United States for researching over the past two decades the history of women’s diseases and the best treatment for them.
The prize for biology was awarded to Dr. Alexander Varshavsky from the United States for his contribution to cytology (study of cells).
Prince Salman was received by Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Emir of Makkah region and Director General of King Faisal Foundation and Chairman of the Commission of King Faisal International Prize; Prince Turki Al-Faisal, Chairman of King Faisal Center for Islamic Research and Studies; Prince Bandar Bin Saud Bin Khaled, Deputy Director of King Faisal Foundation; and Dr. Abdullah Al-Saleh Al-Othaimeen, Secretary General of the King Faisal Prize. – SG/SPA